Category: Golf

• Jury rules Nicklaus defamed by former company

• False claims tied him to $750m LIV Golf offer

• 85-year-old legend awarded $50m in damages

Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, has won a $50m verdict in a defamation case against his former company, bringing an end to one of golf’s most bitter business feuds.

A jury in Palm Beach County, Florida, found that Nicklaus Companies – the firm he founded and later sold – defamed him by spreading false claims that he had considered a $750m offer to become a public face of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League and that he was no longer mentally fit to manage his business affairs. The six-person jury ruled that the company’s actions damaged the 85-year-old’s reputation and exposed him to “ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust or contempt”.

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• World No 5 secures two-shot victory after final round 65

• Fleetwood says son Frankie’s suggestion spurred him on

Tommy Fleetwood held off Japan’s Keita Nakajima to secure a two-shot victory in the DP World India Championship – and celebrated an eighth DP Tour win with son Frankie on the 18th green.

Fleetwood, who had ended his long wait for a first PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup in August, produced a superb seven-under final round of 65 to finish at 22-under in Delhi.

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• Focus on unruly fans ‘is obscuring Europe’s performance’

• ‘I’d like to shift the narrative,’ says Northern Irishman

Rory McIlroy is eager to shift discussion of last month’s Ryder Cup from the dominant theme of unruly spectators to the “incredible” strength of Europe’s display.

Luke Donald and his European team secured back-to-back Ryder Cup wins after reaching what ultimately proved an unassailable position within two of the event’s three days.

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• Woods has lumbar disc replaced in New York

• 15-time major winner calls operation successful

• No timetable set for 49-year-old’s golf return

Tiger Woods has announced that he underwent back surgery on Friday to address a collapsed disc in his spine.

The 15-time major winner had lumbar disk replacement surgery after he experienced pain in his lower back and said on social media that the operation was deemed successful, although it is unknown when the 49-year-old will return to golf.

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• US golfer admits home fans ‘crossed the line’ with abuse

• Morikawa says he did not intend fans to get out of hand

Collin Morikawa admits the behaviour of American fans at the Ryder Cup “crossed the line” but he denies he was partly to blame for inflaming the atmosphere.

Two days before the event started at Bethpage in New York, the two-time major winner said he hoped the opening day was “absolute chaos”.

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• Don Rea Jr writes letter to organization’s members

• European players and wives were verbally abused

The president of the PGA of America, who had initially dismissed abuse directed at Europe’s players during this year’s Ryder Cup as no worse than at “a youth soccer game”, has issued an apology.

“Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited – especially with the US team’s rally on Sunday afternoon – some fan behavior clearly crossed the line,” Don Rea Jr wrote in an email to PGA of America members. “It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.”

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After Europe held off an amazing comeback from the USA to triumph 15-13 and retain the Ryder Cup, we bring you some of our favourite images from three days of excitement at Bethpage

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From Shane Lowry’s victory jig to the emergence of a new US star, our team’s picks from an electrifying weekend

Player of the tournament Viktor Hovland. Well, that was a significant half-point on day three … No, seriously, the award belongs to Tommy Fleetwood. Singles defeat should not mask his overall performance. Surely a major winner in waiting.

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Rory McIlroy spoke out against the abuse he received during Europe's 15-13 Ryder Cup win. In a post-match press conference, McIlroy said: 'I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf.' He added: 'I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.' The Masters champion also confirmed that his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer that was thrown during Saturday afternoon’s play.

• McIlroy condemns ‘unacceptable’ Ryder Cup abuse and reveals his wife was hit by a beer

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Team USA threatened to complete a record-breaking comeback but Ludvig Åberg, Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton hauled Europe over the line

… and as for the match itself, Donald adds: “Zero complacency … we know how strong these guys are … they’re very dangerous at singles … the crowd will be behind them … we have to take care of our own matches and try to win the session.”

Luke Donald reports on Viktor Hovland’s injury. “He started stiffening up yesterday morning … tried to go out yesterday afternoon … it got worse and worse … went to get an MRI last night … was really stiff this morning … tried to go through his warm-up but just couldn’t play … he’s devastated … gutted … he wants to go out there and represent Team Europe … it’s very unfortunate.”

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Irishman does not fear the New York crowd and wants to avenge heavy loss the last time the match was in the US

Rory McIlroy nudged Shane Lowry at a recent European Ryder Cup team gathering as footage of the 2006 football World Cup final was shown. “‘We watched that match together,’” Lowry says McIlroy reminded him. “I was like, ‘What?’ He said, ‘Yeah, European Youths’ Team Championships. Sotogrande.’ From that to sitting at a Ryder Cup dinner, 19 years later is pretty cool.” Next stop, Bethpage.

Lowry has told his close friend that he envies him, in the nicest possible sense. The 38-year-old looked on with smiles, but green eyes, as McIlroy claimed the Masters – completing a career grand slam – and produced heroics to win a second Irish Open this month. “I said to him the other day, I am starting to get really jealous,” says Lowry. “I also said to him that I hope Irish people realise how lucky they are to have Rory at that level, coming back to play the Irish Open every year.

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• Europe’s captain refers to payments to US players

• ‘We all know how high the ticket prices are’

Luke Donald has cranked up the heat on the United States Ryder Cup team by claiming the home crowd at Bethpage from Friday may be more likely to turn on Keegan Bradley and his players because they are being paid to take on Europe. In what is a highly controversial move, Bradley and his 12-man side will each collect $500,000 (£370,000) – $300,000 of which must be directed towards charity, with the rest labelled a stipend – while the European contingent continue to perform at the Ryder Cup for free. Added to the mix is the fact that tickets start at $750 per tournament day.

Much has been made of likely antipathy from the New York audience towards Donald and his players as Europe look to retain the trophy they won in Rome two years ago. However, the Englishman believes USA could find themselves under intense gallery pressure if Europe gain an upper hand. “That could happen,” said Donald. “We all know how high the ticket prices are, and it’s going to be an expensive trip out for a family of four. If the US players are getting paid a stipend, or whatever it is, and they aren’t performing, the New Yorkers could make them know about it.”

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